I WRITE with reference to the letter submitted to the Oxford Mail by David Manners (January 20), regarding the clearing of snow from outside individual properties, and the fact this is no longer done, as it was years ago.

I don’t believe this was covered by a by-law but had more to do with being a good neighbour.

Unfortunately, in a world dominated by political correctness, and an ever increasing compensation culture, no one can place themselves in a position that leaves themselves open to a privately issued writ.

If you don’t clear the snow and someone falls, the onus is on them to take more care.

If, on the other hand, you clear the snow, and despite putting salt or grit down, someone falls because you have done the neighbourly thing, you are liable.

In Germany it is an offence for a householder not to clear the snow from outside their home, with a fine if they fail to do so. This puts the onus of care on the pedestrian.

Still on the subject of highways and byways, I’ve had the pleasure of driving extensively in the United States, including three of the poorer states, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

These states are unable to fund an extensive road repair programme, but even the poor condition of their roads is far superior to those we drivers are faced with in Oxfordshire.

The usual trite excuse of three consecutive bad winters doesn’t wash.

Between those three winters, however, we have had two summers. Some of those foot-deep potholes are three years old, and getting deeper.

Ken Roper, Morton Avenue, Kidlington